AP--Is it worth it?

[Mike N Kathy]

Ive been really thinking about getting an AP it seems to be a good money saver? Whats ur opinions? Can u still get the DP with it ? cuz i love the dining plan! Also how often do u think u need to be going for it to really be a deal..thx

 

[RayJay]

Mike and Kathy

Please see my thread on what I just saved, AP's are definatly worth it.

Even if you break even on them (I think it's 12 park entrances) during the year, it's worth the amount you save on the resorts.

Good Luck in your decision
RayJay

 

[travellady]

The best thing to do is to calculate what you'd spend without the AP for a resort plus park tickets, and what you'd spend without the AP. I found that even for a 5 day trip during high season, if I chose to stay in the Fort Wilderness Cabins with an AP, I was saving over 200.00 than had I paid full price and purchased park admission.

For a moderate, for my planned trip, I would have broke even, but since I was able to get a AAA rate, I ended up spending less than had I purchased an AP.

The best way to arrive at an answer to this question is to do the math and compare AP, to no AP for the timeframe and number of days you plan on going.

 

[keishashadow]

I've been surprised to find out that AP rates are capacity controlled & aren't always available @ the resort/type of room (standard, especially) you desire - although they always seem to have an alternate offer ready for you to book.

Only 2 ways I've heard of to combine the dining plan w/an AP:

1) use or rent DVC points to stay, purchase dining plan from DVC.

2) pay rack rate or use AAA to book a MYW pkg (but only buy the tix for 1 night) and you may add the dining component.

Don't #2 is very practical though...good luck.

 

[KilleriMac17]

The wife and I had AP's(they expire in april, got them last april) and we went on 3 trips, first trip was 9 days, second was 10, 3rd was 12 days) we also got resort discounts on each trip so we saved TONS of money. we are NOT getting AP's however once they expire. our next trip is in december, and we dont plan to back probably for another 1.5-2 years after that. Also you cannot use dining plan with AP. dining plan is only with complete packages(room/tics,ect)

 

[Eljay]

Here is some good info.
http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/breakeven.php

 

[kirbsam]

you cant use the dining plan, that is true, but the dde is a pretty sweet deal.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

we just bought an ap and on our upcoming trip we saved over $1500. We are also going to get the dde card. It will pay for itself in less than 2 meals.

 

[mathboy]

For our next trip, only one person bought an AP. We saved $360 on the Wilderness Cabin for a 3 night trip.

 

[Tinkerbell58]

You can't get the dining plan with an AP, but you can purchase the Disney Dining Experience card. It costs $60 with an AP, and it will save you 20% on most table service meals including alcoholic beverages. Since AK doesn't have table service dining, you can save 20% at their counter service. I have the DDE card and have saved $$.

Yes, an AP was worth it for me. I am a DVC member and saved $100 off the regular AP price.

 

[byoung]

More then 7 days you save. Also room discounts and the DDE card. Saved over $600 in 5 days with family of 10 last May.

 

[PinMan]

do they do finger scans with the ap's ?

 

[luvthatduke]

Yes, you still do the finger scan.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

The AP works out well for me, but I go a lot. Sometimes I can take advantage of hotel discounts, other times I can't (they rarely discount my favorite hotel, the Beach Club).

As Disney can yank the hotel discounts on their corporate whim, don't get the pass for that.

I don't like the dining plan (prefer two TS meals a day, maybe a counter service here or there) and am extremely pleased with the discount.

AP people had to deal with those dumb finger things before the regular ticket holders did. I sure hate those things.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I like not having to worry about how many days I am using on my ticket with an AP. I go for a hour, not a problem. I stay all day, not a problem. We've gotten PAPs since our second trip.